1953 Moretti 750 Grand Sport Berlinetta

Giovanni Moretti prepared racing engines for motorcycles early in his career. After World War II, he began making small automobiles powered by his own vertical twin-cylinder engine. By the early 1950s, he had developed a four-cylinder overhead cam engine in both 600- and 750-cubic centimeter sizes.

The Moretti-built automobiles enjoyed much competition success, particularly those fitted with the twin-cam version of the 750 engine. Popular coachbuilders for the Moretti chassis were the likes of Zagato and Michelloti and included coupes, spiders, Barchettas, and Berlinetta.

This example, finished in its correct original colors of red and black, was the first of about 10 750 Gran Sport Berlinettas imported by Ernie McAfee. It was tested by the editors of Road & Track for the August 1954 issue. It spent much of its life in California before being exported by the late Raymond Milo to the Netherlands in 2005. It was given a nut-and-bolt restoration by the previous owner and then brought back to the United States by the current owner several years ago.

The interior of the car features black leather seats and a deep grey carpet. The engine has been sourced from the GS Barchetta chassis 1294. It is a 748cc dual overhead cam four-cylinder unit that offers 71 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2013